Rebecca Herissone is Professor of Musicology at the University of Manchester and a leading scholar in early modern English music. She co-edits the peer-reviewed journal Music & Letters and serves on editorial boards for the Purcell Society, Musica Britannica, and the Complete Works of John Eccles. Her research focuses on seventeenth-century creativity, material culture, and the ontological dimensions of music notation. Key research areas: Early Modern Music, Creativity, Source Study, Notation, Reception Major awards: Diana McVeagh Prize (2015), Westrup Prize (2007) Her recent work includes digital humanities projects on music preservation and critical editions of Purcell's operas. She has pioneered interdisciplinary approaches connecting musicology with drama, art, and literature, and currently leads research on Purcell's posthumous reception in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Her teaching spans music historiography, performance practices, and advanced source analysis.
Carol Ann Allred is an Associate Professor (Lecturer) at the University of Utah's School of Music, specializing in Voice. She holds a DMA and MA from Eastman School of Music, and a BM in Vocal Pedagogy from Brigham Young University. Her career spans performance and education, with roles at SUNY Fredonia, Seton Hill College, and Hampden-Sydney Chamber Music Festival. Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Vocal Performance - Eastman School of Music (1989) Master of Music (MA), Vocal Performance - Eastman School of Music Bachelor of Music (BM), Vocal Pedagogy - Brigham Young University Allred's research and creative works focus on vocal performance across diverse genres, including choral masterpieces like Verdi Requiem and Brahms Requiem, contemporary works such as Golijov's La Pasion Según San Marcos, and historical repertoires from Mozart and Handel. Her recent projects include international tours and cultural outreach initiatives. Her scholarly performances highlight trends in sacred choral music, operatic excerpts, and community engagement through LDS church services and interfaith concerts. She has contributed to recordings including Christmas CDs and collaborations with Salt Lake Vocal Artists. Scientific Awards : Multiple first prizes in prestigious competitions and a Faculty Recognition Award nomination Teaching : Offers private voice lessons and masterclasses; advises the Michie Undergraduate Vocal Quartet Community Leadership : Conducts multi-congregational choirs and organizes veteran-focused concerts Allred's professional activities include collaborations with orchestras such as the Pittsburgh Symphony and Utah Symphony, with a strong emphasis on vocal pedagogy, interfaith musical outreach, and family ensemble performances. She maintains active roles in judging competitions and mentoring students at both University of Utah and UVU as a substitute instructor.
Ksana Blank is a Senior Lecturer at Princeton University’s Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. She coordinates the Russian Language Program and directs the Princeton-in-Petersburg Program, fostering academic exchange and interdisciplinary research. With a PhD in Russian Literature (Columbia University, 1997) and a BA in French Philology (St. Petersburg State University, 1979), her academic career spans over two decades at Princeton, preceded by teaching roles at Hunter College and Middlebury College Russian Summer School. Education: PhD, Russian Literature, Columbia University (1997) BA, French Philology, St. Petersburg State University (1979) Her research centers on Russian literature, emphasizing stylistic analysis and interdisciplinary connections with music, visual arts, folklore, and religious philosophy. Notable works include studies on Dostoevsky’s dialectics, Gogol’s The Nose , and the interplay between Russian modernism and Western art movements. She has authored multiple books and articles, many translated into Russian, and has published in academic journals across Russia, Europe, and China. Recent publications explore Dostoevsky’s paradoxes, Gogol’s linguistic innovation, and the intersection of Russian literature with music (Shostakovich), art (Malevich), and philosophy. Her 2023 book Парадоксы классики expands traditional interpretations of classic works through interdisciplinary lenses, while her 2021 The Nose guide deciphers Gogol’s wordplay and its narrative function. Earlier works address Tolstoy’s spiritual crisis and Bakhtinian dialogism in Russian literary theory. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to pedagogy include advanced Russian language courses and graduate-level Tolstoy studies. She currently works on Leo Tolstoy’s The Prisoner of the Caucasus and teaches courses on Russian literature, spirituality, and translation.
Andreas Stoehr is a renowned Austrian conductor and professor at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna, leading the conducting department and symphony orchestra since 2013. His career spans prestigious engagements including the Paris Opéra Comique, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and St. Gallen Theatre, focusing on operatic repertoire from Monteverdi to modernism. He is celebrated for reviving neglected works like Meyerbeer’s Emma di Resburgo and Gluck’s Ezio , emphasizing historical performance practices. His research explores stylistic transitions in music history, blending baroque precision with modern innovation. Education: Trained at Vienna's former Conservatory (now University of Music and Performing Arts), studying piano under Alfred Kremela, conducting with Gennadij Rozhdestvenskij, and musicology at the University of Vienna. Key mentors included David Lutz (accompaniment) and Reinhard Schwarz (conducting). Research Interests: Explores interdisciplinary connections between diverse musical eras, such as Bach’s influence on Schoenberg, and advocates for vocal-orchestral balance in historical repertoires. Projects include CD recordings of Amanda Maier-Röntgen and Andrea Tarrodi’s works, nominated for Swedish Grammis. Awards: Grammy nomination (2016) for Amanda Maier-Röntgen’s Violin Concerto recording. Recognized for innovative stagings of operas like Berg’s Wozzeck and Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande . Teaching & Leadership: As professor and symphony orchestra director, Stoehr mentors young conductors. Notable collaborations include the Langenlois Castle Festival (2012–2019) and interdisciplinary projects like Heart and Mouth, and Deed and Life blending Bach with sociological texts. His teaching emphasizes 21st-century conductorship as collaborative architecture, prioritizing emotional engagement over technical authoritarianism. Labs/Ensembles: Leads the MUK Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with ensembles like the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège. His work bridges academic research with performance practice through projects like the Styriarte Festival’s Schubert revival.
Daniel Medin serves as Professor at The American University of Paris within the Department of Comparative Literature and English History and Politics, joining the faculty in January 2010 after teaching positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Free University Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD, Washington University in St. Louis MA, Washington University in St. Louis BA, University of Connecticut Professor Medin's research centers on contemporary international fiction and the global reception of Franz Kafka , with significant contributions to Central European literary studies. His scholarly focus extends to autobiographical writing , editorial practices for translated fiction , and small prose forms , consistently examining cross-cultural literary exchange through interdisciplinary lenses that bridge literature, history, and translation theory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced trajectory toward edited volumes spotlighting global literary voices across European, Asian, and Latin American traditions. His work demonstrates sustained engagement with translation as cultural mediation and Kafka's enduring legacy in contemporary writing, frequently connecting literary analysis with musical composition through collaborations with composers and musicians. His distinguished recognition includes: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship As director of the Center for Writers and Translators and editor of the Cahiers Series, Professor Medin cultivates transnational literary networks through institutional leadership rather than traditional grant-funded research. His extensive involvement with literary prizes—including the International Booker Prize and European Union Prize for Literature—complements his editorial work at publications like Music & Literature and Schreibheft. He actively shapes contemporary discourse through the Center for Writers and Translators, organizing events that connect authors, translators, and scholars across linguistic boundaries. His recent festival appearances at Cheltenham, Bergen, and Dublin highlight ongoing commitment to examining Kafka's relevance and fostering dialogue about global literary trends.
Louise Drewett is a British composer and Lecturer in Composition at the Royal Academy of Music. She co-directs Sing Healthy Choirs, a charity running community choirs in Berkshire, and acts as Artistic Director of the New London Chamber Choir. Her work blends choral music with community engagement, informed by her collaborations with poets like Clare Shaw and theatre companies like Arbonauts. Education: Drewett holds a PhD in Composition from the Royal Academy of Music, supported by scholarships and awards including the Manson Fellowship (2021–2022), the Charles Lucas Composition Prizes (2018, 2019), and grants from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the RVW Trust. She studied under composers Philip Cashian, Hans Abrahamsen, and Oliver Knussen. Research interests focus on communal music-making, vocal textures, and interdisciplinary projects. Her works, praised for 'shimmering textures' (The Times), span orchestral pieces (e.g., with LSO/LPO) and community operas like Daylighting , which earned an Ivor Novello nomination. She also creates educational music for ABRSM's syllabuses. Awards: Ivor Novello Award Nominee (2022) Charles Lucas Composition Prizes (2018, 2019) Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award Advising & Grants: Long-term collaborations with Arbonauts and Young People’s Puppet Theatre highlight her commitment to accessible, participatory art. Her Manson Fellowship supported research into vocal ensemble techniques. Labs/Teams: Leadership roles in Sing Healthy Choirs and the New London Chamber Choir reflect her dedication to fostering community through music.
Kirsten Yri is an Associate Professor of Musicology at Wilfrid Laurier University, serving as Chair of Music Promotions and Appointments, and Coordinator for Music History, Theory, and Critical Analysis. She also oversees the Master of Music: Collaboration, Curation, and Creative Performance program. Her research focuses on medievalism in contemporary music and popular culture, the early music revival of the 20th century, and representations of gender in opera and music within colonial/postcolonial contexts. Yri’s research interests include analyzing how medieval themes are reinterpreted in modern contexts (e.g., film, heavy metal, and stage productions), examining the ideological underpinnings of early music revival movements, and exploring the intersection of music with gender, nationalism, and global cultural politics. Her work often critiques Western-centric narratives and highlights marginalized voices in music history. Her publications span articles in journals and edited volumes, with a focus on composers like Carl Orff and Hildegard of Bingen, as well as groups like Corvus Corax and Anonymous 4. She has contributed to interdisciplinary projects such as The Oxford Handbook of Music and Medievalism (2020). While no scientific awards are cited, her work is widely recognized in musicology and cultural studies. Yri’s teaching and research emphasize collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to music history, blending academic rigor with creative curation. She speaks English, Swedish, and German, enhancing her ability to engage with international scholarly resources and communities.
Dr. Siobhán Dowling is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the School of Education, University College Cork (UCC), with expertise in Religious Education, Music Education, and the intersection of The Arts in Education. She earned her PhD from the University of Wales, Trinity St David, Lampeter, UK, in 2011 and has served in both teaching and administrative roles at UCC since 1998, including Director of the Structured PhD in Education. Education: PhD (2011) in Biblical and Musical Reception History, University of Wales, Trinity St David. Current Roles: Senior Lecturer, Tutor, Placement Supervisor, Director of Structured PhD in Education. Her research focuses on the reception history of biblical narratives in music , particularly themes like the Sacrifice of Isaac, Eve, and the Book of Samuel. She explores collaborative learning in teacher education and integrates creative pedagogy in Religious Education. Her work spans interdisciplinary analysis of the Bible’s influence on music, art, and cultural identity. The 15 most recent publications highlight her pioneering work on biblical stories in musical compositions (2025), visual and musical reception of Dives (2024), and peer-reviewed studies on collaborative learning (2023). Her contributions to the Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception (2025–2016) cover topics like patriarchs, psalms, and gendered biblical figures. Scientific Awards: Recipient of two book awards in the USA for co-authored work 'The Bible in Music: A Dictionary of Songs, Works and More' (2015). Research Grants and Supervision: Awarded multiple Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Grants (2023, 2014) for international training and a Kurt Weill Foundation Travel Award (2014). Supervised PhD, MEd, and PME students while serving as Internal/External Examiner. Leadership: Coordinated UCC’s Cohort PhD in Education (2001–2014) and led the MAAP in Guidance and Counseling program. Delivered invited seminars at KU Leuven, University of Tuebingen, and Trinity College Dublin.
Panpan Yang is a Lecturer in Arts and Visual Cultures of Modern China at the School of Arts, SOAS University of London. She joined SOAS in 2021 after completing her joint PhD at the University of Chicago under the direction of Wu Hung, Tom Gunning, W. J. T. Mitchell, Judith Zeitlin, and Dana Polan. Her interdisciplinary work bridges art history, screen studies, East Asian studies, and digital humanities, with a focus on innovative methodologies in art historical writing. Dr. Yang earned a dual BA from Peking University, double majoring in art and philosophy, followed by an MA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and a PhD from the University of Chicago. During her undergraduate studies, she served as president of the Society of Dream of the Red Chamber Studies, which informed her secondary academic interest in Redology and the visual material world of the novel Hong lou meng. Panpan Yang's research explores how minor discourses can deterritorialize the terrains of both art history and screen studies. Her work demonstrates a multimethodological approach attentive to archival research, material practices, close visual analysis, computer-aided vision, and cross-cultural theorization. She is particularly interested in Chinese animation history, calligraphic imagination in contemporary art, and the intersections between traditional Chinese art forms and new media. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on Chinese visual culture across multiple media forms, with particular attention to animation, film, and calligraphy. Yang's work demonstrates how traditional Chinese art forms engage with contemporary digital media, creating new hybrid forms that challenge disciplinary boundaries. Her research shows a trajectory from historical analysis of Chinese animation to contemporary explorations of calligraphy in digital contexts, revealing the ongoing relevance of traditional Chinese aesthetics in modern media. Dr. Yang has received several prestigious awards for her scholarly and creative work: China's National Young Screenwriter Award Domitor Essay Award Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award Nomination Honourable Mention from the Association for Chinese Animation Studies As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Yang leads the AHRC-funded research project "Stroke by Stroke: Calligraphic imagination in contemporary Chinese art and emergent media" (2023-25) with Shane McCausland. She was also a collaborating partner on the NEH-funded "Media Ecology Project." Her research has received additional support from the Getty Foundation and the Sino-British Fellowship Trust. At SOAS, she works closely with faculty and graduate students interested in Chinese arts and cultures, art theory, cinematic arts, and digital art history. Dr. Yang is currently developing innovative research at the intersection of traditional Chinese calligraphy and contemporary digital media through her AHRC-funded project. This work explores how calligraphic imagination manifests in contemporary art and emergent media contexts, creating new pathways for understanding Chinese cultural heritage in the digital age.
Enrique Sánchez Lansch is a Professor of Media Dramaturgy at the Institute for Music and Media at Robert Schumann University of Düsseldorf, appointed in 2018. Born in Gijón, northern Spain, and raised in Cologne, he has established himself as a prominent documentary filmmaker with a strong focus on music-related subjects. His educational background includes studies in music with a focus on singing, Romance languages, philosophy, and German studies. He completed his master's thesis on adaptation of literature into music films. After gaining professional experience in fictional series production, he pursued further studies in film and screenwriting at Columbia University and UCLA. Sánchez Lansch's research and creative interests center on the intersection of music and visual media. His work explores how musical experiences can be effectively translated to film, examining the relationship between sound and image. He has particular expertise in documenting musical institutions, historical contexts of music, and the educational aspects of musical performance. His approach combines rigorous historical research with innovative visual storytelling techniques that respect the integrity of musical performance while creating compelling cinematic narratives. His filmography reveals a consistent focus on music documentaries that bridge cultural and historical contexts. Early works focused on major musical institutions and figures, while more recent projects have expanded to examine the relationship between music and broader social, political, and cultural phenomena. His films consistently demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of both musical content and cinematic storytelling. His notable awards include: German Film Award German Documentary Film Award Bavarian Film Award German Critics' Award German Kinogilde Award Franz Hofer Prize Best Documentary Film at Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Best Documentary Film at SEMINCI Festival de Valladolid Diapason d'Or Emmy nomination for "A Celebration for Gershwin" Sánchez Lansch has served as a mentor to young filmmakers, notably curating and presenting music short films by young talents for the Beethovenfest Bonn from 2006 to 2013. His professional activities extend beyond filmmaking to include teaching at institutions such as the dffb (German Film and Television Academy Berlin) and his current professorship at Robert Schumann University. He is an active member of both the German Film Academy and the European Film Academy, contributing to the broader film community through these organizations. As Professor of Media Dramaturgy, Sánchez Lansch contributes to the academic framework of the Institute for Music and Media, bringing his extensive professional experience to bear on the education of future media creators. His work bridges the gap between academic study and professional practice in the field of music-related visual media.
Matt Bribitzer-Stull is a Professor in the Music Department at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus). His research focuses on Wagner studies, film music, and analytical approaches to composition. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of leitmotifs in both operatic and cinematic contexts. Primary Affiliation: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Department: Music Email: mpbs@umn.edu His scholarly work explores the intersection of Wagnerian compositional techniques and modern film scoring, with a particular emphasis on harmonic associativity and thematic development. He has published extensively on topics related to Schenkerian analysis and the application of operatic motifs in non-traditional media. Research output trends indicate a strong focus on Richard Wagner's influence across multiple domains, including opera, orchestral music, and film. His 2015 book on leitmotifs synthesizes these themes, while earlier articles examine Wagnerian harmonic practices in works by Strauss and other composers.
Kerri Kotta is a Professor of Music Theory and Head of Musicology at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She holds a PhD in Musicology (2004) and an MA in Composition (1997) from the same institution. Her research focuses on music theory, tonal analysis, Estonian music history, and contemporary composition, with special expertise in the works of Eduard Tubin and Dmitri Shostakovich. She coordinates the International Eduard Tubin Society and edits the composer's complete works. Her research interests span music theory , compositional techniques , Estonian cultural heritage , and interdisciplinary performance studies . Recent publications explore modernism in Estonian art music, Beethoven's structural rhetoric, and socio-psychological dimensions of contemporary opera. Kotta received the Reet Neimar Criticism Award (2023) for her contributions to music scholarship. She leads the project How to share the ardor? Conveying complex musical structures through animated scores (2024-2025), funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Administratively, she chairs the Estonian Musicological Society (2013–present) and the International Eduard Tubin Society (2015–present), while serving on the board of the Estonian Composers Union (2022–present).
Professor Matthew Head is Professor of Music at King's College London. Educated at Oxford and Yale, his research explores German Romantic keyboard music, Enlightenment subjectivity, and representations of gender in 18th-century musical cultures. His monograph 'Sovereign Feminine' examines music's role in constructing femininity during this period. Current projects investigate expressive practices in Haydn, Mozart, and C.P.E. Bach, analyzing emotional dimensions like terror, melancholy, and desire through keyboard works. He co-directs widening participation initiatives bridging King's College and St George's musical communities.
Paul Richards is a Research Foundation Professor of Music and head of the composition and theory area at the University of Florida since 1999. He previously served as Visiting Professor at Florida State University (2016) and taught at Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. His academic roles include teaching courses in composition, music theory, and orchestration, along with supervising graduate students. He earned a DMA in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin and degrees from the University of Arizona. Education: Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Composition, University of Texas at Austin, 1998 Master of Music (MM), Theory and Composition, University of Arizona, 1993 Bachelor of Music (BM), Theory and Composition, University of Arizona, 1991 Research Interests: Richards’ work spans orchestral, vocal, chamber, and theatrical compositions, including operas and wind ensemble pieces. His style blends eclectic influences—from Jewish sacred music to modernist techniques—resulting in works praised for their "strong melodic gift" and innovative orchestration. Commissions have come from prestigious organizations like the Florida Orchestra, Boston Brass, and White Snake Projects. Awards and Recognition: Recipient of numerous international composition prizes, including the St. Mary’s College/Kaplan Foundation Commission Competition and Second Prize in the International Horn Society Composition Competition University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship (2017–2020, 2010–2013) Finalist in the National Opera Association’s Dominic Argento Chamber Opera Competition (2023) Advising and Grants: Richards has advised over 40 graduate students and chaired multiple PhD committees. His grants include support from the University of Florida and the Research Foundation. He has also served as a mentor in composer-in-residence programs, including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Fresh Ink Competition. Labs and Collaborations: He co-founded the Florida Contemporary Music Festival (2013–2018), fostering collaboration between composers and performers. His work integrates interdisciplinary projects, such as music for dance and film, and he actively collaborates with choreographers and theater artists.
Dr. Amanda Hsieh is an Assistant Professor of Musicology in the Department of Music at Durham University. Her research examines the intersection of music and politics, with a particular focus on global music history and transnational exchanges between East Asia and Central/Western Europe during the 19th-20th centuries. Her current book project, 'The Japanese Empire's German Art Music, 1910–1945', investigates musico-political networks connecting Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Hsieh employs interdisciplinary approaches including global history, biography, and infrastructure theory to analyze how Western art music influenced Japanese state-building initiatives. Dr. Hsieh actively builds equitable scholarly networks as co-founder of the Asian-German Studies in Music Working Group and former co-chair of the AMS Global East Asian Music Research Study Group. She serves as Reviews Editor for the Journal of the Royal Musical Association, where she promotes linguistic and geographical diversity in music scholarship. Her recent publications explore themes of gender representation in opera, cultural diplomacy through music, and methodological challenges in global music history. She has received prestigious awards including the Kurt Weill Prize and Jerome Roche Prize for her contributions to music scholarship. Dr. Hsieh currently supervises PhD research on women opera singers in 19th-century Britain and welcomes doctoral applicants interested in music and mobility, music and politics, and global music history.
